22 
“THE NATURALIST IN NICARAGUA. 
Jan., 1889. 
“The flowers of this lofty climber are disposed in a circle, 
hanging downwards like an inverted candelabrum 
and the birds, to get at the pitchers (containing a sweetish 
liquid), must brush against them, and thus convey the pollen 
from one plant to another.” The hairless dogs mentioned by 
Humboldt were seen by Mr. Belt, and it is pointed out by 
him that they would have an advantage in the “struggle for 
existence” over hairy ones, which are largely infested with 
Ectozoa in tropical climes. Among nocturnal animals “the 
skunks move slowly about, and their large white tails render 
them very conspicuous. Their formidable means of defence 
makes for them the obscure coloration of other dusk-roaming 
mammals unnecessary, as they do not need concealment.” 
Very little space remains to touch on super-organic 
phenomena (8). The country of Nicaragua, discovered by 
Gonzales, was subdued in 1522 by Hernando de Cordova; 
and in his book Mr. Belt over and over again speaks of the 
degenerate condition of the natives since the Spanish conquest, 
especially the half-breeds. He found everywhere proofs of 
the iniquity of the Spaniards and of the superiority of the old 
Indians—their ancient sculptures—their good government— 
their love of flowers. “No eye-servers were these Indians; 
before and behind they bestowed equal pains and labour on 
their work.” As a redeeming feature, he speaks of the free 
hospitality of the present inhabitants. “It is the universal 
custom of the Mestizo peasantry to entertain travellers, to 
give them the best they have, and to charge for the bare value 
of the provisions and nothing for the lodging.” Their absence 
of patriotism, and their indolence, is much to be deprecated. 
The only work is done by the females ; the men keep up their 
dignity by lounging about all day, or lolling in a hammock, 
all wearied with their slothfulness, and looking discontented 
and unhappy. Law-suits are frequent, and the corruption of 
the judges, who are badly paid, is notorious. The absence 
of newspapers renders trustworthy intelligence impossible. 
Petty thefts are common enough, but robberies with violence 
are rarely committed. The remedy for all this is “the gradual 
moving down southward of the people of the United States. 
When the destiny of Mexico is fulfilled, with one stride 
the Anglo-American will bound to the Isthmus of Panama, 
and Central America will be filled with cattle estates, and 
with coffee, sugar, indigo, cotton, and cacao plantations. 
Railways will then keep up a healthful and continuous 
intercourse with the enterprising North, and the sluggard 
and the sensual will not be able to stand before the 
competition of the vigorous and virtuous.” Several pages 
